Lockout for a rotary feeder

Abstract

In carton feeding apparatus, a rotary member having a blade which passes behind a leading carton in a group of vertically-oriented cartons to separate the leading carton from the adjacent carton. A lockout member is pivotally mounted on the rotary member and is adapted to be moved in a generally axial direction toward the incoming cartons to block the cartons from engagement by the blade.

Having described my invention, I claim: 
     
       1. A rotary feeder for sheets such as flat folded cartons comprising, a hub,   a blade mounted on said hub to pass behind a leading sheet to separate it from the adjacent sheet,   a lockout element movably mounted on said hub, said lockout element, when extended axially, projects beyond said blade, thereby engaging a leading sheet and holding it out of engagement by said blade.   
     
     
       2. In a cartoner having a product bucket conveyor, and an erected carton conveyor running alongside said product bucket conveyor, carton feeding apparatus comprising,   an infeed conveyor for carrying cartons in a generally vertical orientation,   a rotary feeder above the downstream end of said conveyor,   said rotary feeder comprising,   a housing,   a rotary hub mounted on said housing for rotation about an axis generally parallel to the direction of movement of said conveyor,   a blade projecting from said hub and adapted to pass behind a leading carton to separate it from the adjacent carton,   a lockout member mounted for generally axial movement on said hub,   and means for moving said lockout member in an upstream direction when a product bucket is empty to force a leading carton away from said blade.   
     
     
       3. Carton feeding apparatus as in claim 2 in which said lockout member is arcuate and is pivoted on said hub adjacent said blade. 
     
     
       4. Carton feeding apparatus as in claims 2 or 3 in which said moving means comprises, a piston and cylinder mounted on said housing on an axis parallel to said hub axis,   said piston having a head adjacent to said lockout member and engageable with it when said piston and cylinder is actuated.